Sanitary receptacles



y 15, 1956 A, M. LANDY ETAL 2,745,405

SANITARY RECEPTACLES Filed March 24, 1953 INVENTORS. A/V/Vf M 14/ /07 BYA/[OZA 5270115? A TTOP/YEX United States Patent SANITARY RECEPTACLESAnne M. Landy and Neola Seidler, Philadelphia, Pa.

Application March 24, 1953, Serial N0. 344,306

1 Claim. (Cl. 128286) Our invention relates to sanitary receptacles, andit relates more particularly to receptacles of the kind which areadapted to hold an absorbent pad such for instance as a surgical orother dressing, or a sanitary napkin, when in use.

In the use of absorbent pads such as surgical or other dressings, orsanitary napkins, it has frequently been the experience that such padsare not able to receive and hold all of the fluid they are intended toabsorb. The problem has been particularly acute in cases requiringsanitary napkins, for the flow of fluid is intermittent and ofunpredictable quantity. As a result, considerable annoyance andembarrassment has been caused the wearer of said napkin, as well asspoilage of clothing contacted by the fluid which the napkin failed toabsorb. Attempts have been made to meet this problem by providing acasing for a sanitary napkin, but such attempts have hitherto provenunsatisfactory for they have either increased the bulk of napkin andcasing in such a manner as to betray their use, or they have proveninadequate to catch and hold the excess fluid, and in some instancesthey were of such construction as to be impractical of manufacture.

One object of our invention therefore is to provide a sanitaryreceptacle for an absorbent pad, which will be safe, comfortable,secure, and dependable in operation and which will assure the captureand holding of all excess fluids.

Another object of our invention is to provide a sanitary receptaclewhich will not betray through the users clothing the fact that anabsorbent pad, such for instance as a sanitary napkin, is being worn.

' A further object of our invention is to provide a sanitary receptaclewhich is readily and inexpensively manufactured and which may bepackaged or carried in a very small space.

Our invention also consists of the parts and combinations of parts asmore fully described hereinafter.

For the purpose of illustrating our invention, We have shown in theaccompanying drawings forms thereof which are at present preferred byus, since the same have been found in practice to give satisfactory andreliable results, although it is to be understood that the variousinstrumentalities of which our invention consists can be variouslyarranged and organized and that our invention is not limited to theprecise arrangement and organizations of the instrumentalities as hereinshown and described.

Referring now to the drawings, in which like reference charactersindicate like parts:

Figure 1 represents a perspective view of a sanitary receptacleembodying our invention.

Figure 2 represents an enlarged sectional view taken generally along thelines 22 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 represents a perspective view of a sanitary receptacle holdingan absorbent pad and ready for use, and embodying our invention.

Figure 4 represents a vertical sectional view of a sanitary receptacleholding a sanitary napkin, in actual use, and embodying our invention.

2,745,405 Patented May 15, 1956 ice 2 Figure 5 represents a plan viewshowing patterns which may be used in making a sanitary receptacleembodying our invention. 1 a Figure 6 represents a perspective viewillustrating a sanitary receptacle in folded condition for carrying orpackaging, and embodying our invention.

The sanitary receptacle of our invention may be formed in accordancewith patterns, such for instance as the patterns 10 and 11 respectivelyindicating the outlines of the impervious or waterproof interiorsurrounded by an absorbent exterior. The waterproof interior may consistof a sheet of rubber, plastic or similar web-like substance;' or it mayconsist of a rubber-impregnated, plastic-impreg-' nated or otherwisewaterproofed woven or knit fabric. a

The fabric exterior may consist of woven or knitsilk,

lawn, dimity, nylon, rayon, cotton or other absorbent and" washablematerial. Thus, in a preferred form, an imper vious or waterproof base16 is out along the outlines of the pattern 14; and an absorbent andwashable exterior fabric '17, as well as an absorbent and washableinterior fabric 18 are both out along the outlines of the same basepattern 14. In similar manner, an impervious or waterproof sideand-endwall section 19 is cut along the outlines of the" pattern 10, and anabsorbent and washable exterior fab-J lie 20 as well as a washable andabsorbent interior fabric 21 are both cut along the outlines of the samepattern 10, to provide the specific materials for the side-and-end wallsection 12; and in like manner, the impervious or waterproof material22, external washable and absorbent material 23 and internal absorbentand washable material 24 are provided by following the outlines of forforming the side-and-end wall section 13. I

The patterns 10 and 11 are preferably identical,'-and if desired, one ofthem may be dispensed with. and by using both faces the other may beused for both sections 12 and 13. For purposes of description therefor,we shall describe only one side-and-end wall section pattern 10indetail. In a preferred form, the side-and-end wall section pattern 10consists of substantially arcuate segmental portions 25 and 26 joiningat one of their ends in a substan tiaJly V-shaped angleportion 27, thearcuate segmental portions corresponding generally to the sides of eachsection 12, 13. The opposed end portions 28 and 29 respcctively of thearcuate segmental portions 25 and 26 are preferably elongated andcorrespond generally to the end portions of each section 12, 13,terminating in hem l portions 30 and 31 respectively. The base 14 ispreferably broader at its forward end portion than at its rearward endportion 41. In a preferred manner of assembling our sanitary receptacle,the patterns 10, 11 and 14 are made of suflicient length and width toprovide for internally disposed hem portions 32, 33, 34 'and 35, as wellas the hem portions 36 and 37 respectively disposed in the end wallportions of the sections 12 and 13.

Thus, in assembling the sanitary receptacle of our'invention, thecomponents of each side-and-end wall sec- 7 tion 12, 13 may first bejoined by sewing'the hem 32 with its components disposed in thefollowing manner: the impervious or waterproof material 19 may be laid"upon the interior fabric 21 which in turn maybe laid upon the exteriorfabric 20; and the hem 33 may be'sewn with the impervious or waterproofmaterial 22 laidupon the interior fabric 24 which in turn maybe laidupon the exterior fabric 23. The exterior fabrics 20 and 23may then befolded back from their respective hems 32 and 33, and the conjointmaterial and fabric 19, 21 and con pattern 11 sewn together in the basehems 34 and 35.

the. channels 57 and. 58.

joint mat'erial'and fabric 22 and 24 maybe folded back fromtheirrespective fhems .32 and 33 so as to dispose the ends of thematerials and fabrics in position to be If desired, the side-and-endwall sections may be turned inwardly with theiriherns: 32 and.33tdisposedtadjacent,each (other, and their loose edges delineating theouter :edge tof (the base pattern '14. The interior-base fabric18:.rnay1hen be laid against the interior fabrics 2'1and24 and withitsouter edge 'inregistry-with the-lobsedges of said-fabrics 121 and24;while the .exteriorlbase fabric 17 maybe. disposed against the exterior:fabrics .20 and 2-3 with its outeredge in registry with ,the.,loo.seedges ofsaid fabrics V 20 -andf23;.and the.impervious or waterproofbase'sheet lfi may be disposed against .the exterior fabric 17, .withtheedges of said sheet 16 :in registry .with the edges of salidlfabric17. The .hems .34.and :35 .may then bezsewn along the sides of the basecomponents 16,17 and 18, and preferablyalong aportion of theendsthereof, leaving .an opening ateach .of the forward-send :38 and therearwardend :39 .of the base assembly .15. The'whole assen:tb ly. may.now be .pulled inside out through either end opening .38 .or.39,::so..as topdispose.the side-and-end wall sec-tion's and.13 in anoutwardly projecting-manner,,,with;lthe..interior base fabric 13 foldedbackrabout the-Ihems 34. and 35 and laying on,the inner face -42--ofthefimpervious or waterproof base material 16, while the waterproofmaterial 16 .and its adjacent exterior fabric :17 Larelfolded .backfrom'thje hems34tand 35--opbase .The end openings 38land 39\may.now beclosedbyappropriate stitching, andthe-extremities f 1hidr and-endsections 12 and 13 maybe sewntogether at both their hem portions 36 and37, thus forming betweensaid hem portions. and their respective adjacentbase portions,

.There is thus formed. a receptacle tfitl-havin g --a flexible base15,which normally held in concave position by the fiexible,.arcuate andsubstantially V-shaped side portions 43l-and 44 terminating in endportions 45 and 46' which preferably are themselves spaced from the base15 .inorder to vpermitcollapsing substantially thereagainst and'in' amannermore fully to be'described hereinafter,

the' spacing ibetween said end portions. 45 and 46 ,and

said 'zbase portion 15,-.providiug suitable channels for passage.therethrough of retaining extremities of an absorhentpad 47..to beheldby our-sanitary receptacle-6.0,;

' receptacle having no harsh seams or edges :to "bear against any.portion of. the wearers body, andaalso com:

prisinganjnterior-wall which is bothabsorhent and washableLinorder tocapture and resistthe -flowxof excess 7 ,areinot retained bysaidabsorbent pad, and

saidinterior fabric being embraced by a waterproof v:rna-

ter'ial .which preventspassage .thercthrough'of said excess fluid, andwhich waterproof material is itself exteriorly 1- covered by .awashableand soft fabric .whichprotects the .weare'rfrom unpleasant orconscious contact with said .impervious or waterproof material; saidembracing being .in such amanner that. the side walls will notqbulgeoutwardly-.topermitspillagewhen the receptacleis curved inner faces51a-of':.the ..interior fabrics 211and24, an'dthe'en'ds'52-:of1the;pad:47 disposed intermediate. the end portions=45eand46'oiftthesections .12 and 13. The retaining extremitiesv53 and-54 of:thepad 47 are thenthreaded V respectively through-the channels 57.and253*015 the receptacleofi, 'Ifhe';pad-47 may then be adjusted :alongztheibasels so as to ,permitth'eend portions-45 and Y46 to be-collapsedagainstthe'retaining extremities I53ran'd respectively, withthe uPPeredges 5510f .theendportions 45, and disposed adjacent the :endsifiZ ofthe pad 47, and preferably intermediate said ends 52 and the ends .56 ofthe base 15., The receptacle w6Q withthepad terproof sheet material, butwill instead bear against the soft, pliable and washable fabrics formingthe interior and exterior walls of the receptacle '60. ,Moreover, eX-cess fluids which arenot'captured by the pad 47 will be retained withinthe Walls of the sections '12 and 13 and above the base 15, by beingfirst absorbed --by the absorbent fabrics composing the interior wallsof the receptacle 69, and Where not so absorbed, by being held as in avessel by the impervious or waterproof internal sheet construction ofthe receptacle 69. Not only so, but the retention of the side Walls 4-3and 44 in fluidcapturing .position is assured by the arcuate andsubstantially vV-s'haped contourofthe side Walls 43, 44. Moreover, the.useof the pad and receptacle is very substan-.

tially hidden by the disposition of the end portions :45 and 46 insubstantially collapsed relation to the base15, for by this constructionthere is no abrupt termination of theends-52 ofthe pad 47 against-thebodyof the wearer 61. Instead, there is a gradual tapering ofl from thethickness .of the pad-47 to the thickness of the ends 45, 46 bearingagainst the respective retaining extremities 53, 54 which in turn lie'against the base 15,-to the thicknessof the retaining extremities53, 54alone, said tapering off being accomplished in such armanner as toincrease -the assurance that fluids will not escape the interiorof thereceptacle. Moreover, the broadened :forward end 40 of the base patternresults in a broadened forward end 59 of the base :15, whicheffectuallybroadens the forward contour of the pad and receptacle as:sembly at the very .place where the thickness of said assembly is beingtapered off as aforesaid. As a result,

the fact that an absorbent pad is being Worn is effectually hidden whenclothes :are .worn by the wearer-61. If desired, the length of the base15 maybe such as'to provide forrthe collapsing of one end, with theother end 52 of the pad 47 hearing against the interior absorbent wallof the adjacent end 4501- 46. Or, if desired the pad 47 may be spacedfrom the upper edge Ofeither collapsed end wall 45, 46 .and thus provideadditional space for the contained reception of excess fluid.

When the receptacle. has been used, it may readily be washed, for theinterior and exterior fabrics are both washable and the impervious sheetis not affected ,by water. Thus, the receptacle 60 may effectually becleansed anddried. .Itmay then be folded into a miuisculepf space, asillustrated in Figure 6, so that it may readily zbecarried in.thevhandbag or 'otherreceptacle. .In 'flJe same manner-,it may readilybe packagedforsale.

We are awarethat the invention may be embodied-in other specific formsWithout departing. from the spiritpr essentialattributes thereof, and wetherefore desire the present embodiments to be considered insallrespects as illustrative, and not'restrictive, reference being haditotheappended claim rather to the foregoing description to indicatethescopeof the invention.

Having thus described our inventiomwhat we claim as new and desire toobtain by Letters Patent is:

A sanitary --rec eptacle for a pad comprising absorbent material havinga top, abottom, sides andencl portions, and. having retainingextremities extending from saidend portions; said sanitaryreceptaclecompiising:a:base-portionfhaving afsubstantially continuouswall *secured to said base and in fluid impervious relation thereto"along the gsijdesand end portions of said base;=said basebeing wideratthe :anterior I end portionsand narrower at the posterior end portionand comprising :exterior and in- ;terionlayers .ofmhsorbent:andwashablei fabric and =aniin- References Cited in the file of thispatent UNITED STATES PATENTS Baldwin May 25, 1886 Knieriemms Feb. 20,1917 Holly Sept. 2, 1924 FOREIGN PATENTS Australia Oct. 24, 1949

